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Registered number:
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
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MOSS WOOD LIMITED
COMPANY INFORMATION
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MOSS WOOD LIMITED
CONTENTS
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MOSS WOOD LIMITED
STRATEGIC REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
The directors present their strategic report for the year ended 31 December 2025. The results for the year and financial position of Moss Wood Limited (the 'Company') are shown in the financial statements on pages 9 to 27.
These financial statements encompass the performance of BeWILDerwood Cheshire, an outdoor family adventure park located on the Cholmondeley Castle Estate in Cheshire. In this review, we aim to present a balanced commentary on the development and performance of the business during the year and its position at the year end. Our review is consistent with the size and nature of the business and is written in the context of the risks and uncertainties we face.
The story for the year was the continuation of establishing BeWILDerwood Cheshire as a visitor attraction in the competitive market of the North West of England. Situated in the south of Cheshire the attraction is also long drive for the majority of its visitors, compared to its competitors, with a small local demographic.
The Company has been able to establish itself in the local market and continues to increase its awareness, and continuing to develop and enhance it’s special events, this year saw the introduction of a new Halloween event “Twig or Treat” (in October) which was well attended with great visitor reviews and feedback and the further development of the successful “BeWILDerwood presents Christmas”. The Company continues to be recognised within the industry and has been winning awards every year since it commenced trading.
2026 saw BeWILDerwood Cheshire achieve its greatest accolade by winning Large Visitor Attraction of the Year, from a shortlist that included Chester Zoo. The judges praised the woodland adventure park for its high standards of cleanliness, inclusive family activities, and strong commitment to sustainable outdoor imaginative play.
Trading for the current financial year was similarly impacted as the prior year with the economic pressures including the continuing cost-of-living impacts on consumer spending, ongoing inflation influencing business costs and a stagnant UK economy.
Revenue for the financial year was £2,384,635 (2024 – £2,618,407) and the operating loss was £436,162 (2024 – £507,287) having excluded exceptional income. Equity shareholders' funds have decreased from net liabilities of £2,186,870 to net liabilities of £2,765,617. Whilst the Company has been reporting losses, arrangements are in place with its stakeholders allowing it to meet obligations as they fall due and manage its cash flow requirements. The directors are constantly monitoring the financial position of the Company and planning accordingly. The Company is proud of its achievements in these challenging times. It continues to be recognised in this financial year, earning the following awards since it first opened in April 2021: 2021 New tourism business award, Gold (marketing Cheshire) 2022 Visitor attraction of the year, Gold (marketing Cheshire) 2023 Best new event, Silver (UK theme park awards) 2023 Best tourism marketing project of the year, Gold (Marketing Cheshire) 2024 Best theme park for toddlers, Gold (UK theme park awards) 2024 Best customer service, Gold (UK theme park awards) 2025 - Best Tourism Marketing Project of the Year (Marketing Cheshire Awards) 2026 - Large Visitor Attraction of the Year (Visit Cheshire Tourism Awards)
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MOSS WOOD LIMITED
STRATEGIC REPORT (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
The Board has a policy of continuous identification and review of key business risks and uncertainties. It oversees the development of processes to ensure that these risks are managed appropriately. Operational management are delegated with the tasks of implementing these processes and reporting to the Board on their outcomes. The key risks identified by the Board are as follows:
Seasonality and weather The business is seasonal and significantly reliant on school holidays. It is an outdoor attraction and can be adversely affected by extreme weather conditions, especially at peak trading times. Global warming may mean that the wet weather that has affected business might persist, and we have slimmed down costs significantly and continue to work on operational efficiencies. Health and safety The company puts the health and safety of customers and employees at the heart of everything it does. The approach to safety management is set out in its Health and Safety procedures and is based on proactivity and continuous improvement to mitigate risk. All incidents are recorded and reviewed to identify any trends or issues which might need to be addressed and relevant learning points or improvements. General economic environment The personal disposable income of customers and their expenditure on leisure activities is affected by changes in the general economic environment. The Company regularly reviews its offer and pricing to ensure it provides value for money and meets its customers' needs. Competition BeWILDerwood Cheshire is a relatively new UK attraction, and has to compete for consumer time and expenditure with other major attractions and other leisure and recreational activities, in the highly concentrated and competitive North West market and is geographically further away from the major population centres compared to many of its competitors. The Company undertakes regular market research and reviews customers' expectations and whether their needs are being met. Being a newcomer it is likely that our marketing has not reached saturation point and that we will become more competitive in the future.
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MOSS WOOD LIMITED
STRATEGIC REPORT (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
Key performance indicators of the company are as follows:
2025 2024
Turnover £2.38m £2.62m Trading (loss)/profit * (£0.59m) (£0.55m) * Trading (loss)/profit is derived from the Profit and loss account, and is before the deduction of depreciation, IP charges and rent and excludes exceptional items.
This report was approved by the board and signed on its behalf.
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MOSS WOOD LIMITED
DIRECTORS' REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
The directors present their report and the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2025.
The directors are responsible for preparing the Strategic report, the Directors' report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations.
In preparing these financial statements, the directors are required to:
∙select suitable accounting policies for the Company's financial statements and then apply them consistently;
∙make judgments and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
∙prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Company will continue in business.
The directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the Company's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Company and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
The loss for the year, after taxation, amounted to £578,747 (2024 - loss £1,313,995).
The directors who served during the year were:
Since the year end, trading started off well through to the May, however for the main summer season of 2025 visitors numbers and income have been impacted both by the cost of living crisis and consumer confidence. We have exciting plans for our seasonal events and are looking forward to impact these will have on both October half term and Christmas.
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MOSS WOOD LIMITED
DIRECTORS' REPORT (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
There have been no significant events affecting the Company since the year end.
The auditors, MA Partners Audit LLP, will be proposed for reappointment in accordance with section 485 of the Companies Act 2006.
This report was approved by the board and signed on its behalf.
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MOSS WOOD LIMITED
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF MOSS WOOD LIMITED
We have audited the financial statements of Moss Wood Limited (the 'Company') for the year ended 31 December 2025, which comprise the Profit and loss account, the Analysis of net debt, the Balance sheet, the Statement of cash flows, the Statement of changes in equity and the related notes, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 ‘The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
We draw attention to note 2.2 in the financial statements, which indicates that the Company is reliant on the continued support of the major shareholders. The matters in note 2.2 indicate that a material uncertainty exists that may cast significant doubt on the Company's ability to continue as a going concern. Our opinion is not modified in respect of this matter.
In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the directors' use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate. Our evaluation of the directors' assessment of the Company's ability to continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting included evaluation of the major shareholders willingness and ability to continue to provide the support required by the Company for the foreseeable future, being a period of at least twelve months from the approval date of these financial statements.
Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the directors with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.
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MOSS WOOD LIMITED
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF MOSS WOOD LIMITED (CONTINUED)
The other information comprises the information included in the Annual Report other than the financial statements and our Auditors' report thereon. The directors are responsible for the other information contained within the Annual Report. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit, or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.
We have nothing to report in this regard.
In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:
∙the information given in the Strategic report and the Directors' report for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and
∙the Strategic report and the Directors' report have been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.
In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the Company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the Strategic report or the Directors' report.
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MOSS WOOD LIMITED
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF MOSS WOOD LIMITED (CONTINUED)
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an Auditors' report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.
Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below:
The objectives of our audit in respect of fraud, are; to identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements due to fraud; to obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence regarding the assessed risks of material misstatement due to fraud, through designing and implementing appropriate responses to those assessed risks; and to respond appropriately to instances of fraud or suspected fraud identified during the audit. However, the primary responsibility for the prevention and detection of fraud rests with both management and those charged with governance of the Company. Our approach was as follows: We obtained an understanding of the legal and regulatory requirements applicable to the Company and considered that the most significant are the Companies Act 2006, UK financial reporting standards as issued by the Financial Reporting Council and UK taxation legislation. We obtained an understanding of how the Company complies with these requirements by discussions with management and those charged with governance. We assessed the risk of material misstatement of the financial statements, including the risk of material misstatement due to fraud and how it might occur, by holding discussions with management and those charged with governance. We inquired of management and those charged with governance as to any known instances of non-compliance or suspected non-compliance with laws and regulations. Based on this understanding, we designed specific appropriate audit procedures to identify instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. This included making enquiries of management and those charged with governance and obtaining additional corroborative evidence as required.
Because of the inherent limitations of an audit, there is a risk that we will not detect all irregularities, including those leading to a material misstatement in the financial statements or non-compliance with regulation. This risk increases the more that compliance with a law or regulation is removed from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, as we will be less likely to become aware of instances of non-compliance. The risk is also greater regarding irregularities occurring due to fraud rather than error, as fraud involves intentional concealment, forgery, collusion, omission or misrepresentation.
A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council's website at: www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our Auditors' report.
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MOSS WOOD LIMITED
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF MOSS WOOD LIMITED (CONTINUED)
This report is made solely to the Company's members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the Company's members those matters we are required to state to them in an Auditors' report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the Company and the Company's members, as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
for and on behalf of
Chartered Accountants
Statutory Auditor
7 The Close
Norfolk
NR1 4DJ
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MOSS WOOD LIMITED
PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
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MOSS WOOD LIMITED
REGISTERED NUMBER: 09985024
BALANCE SHEET
AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2025
The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the board and were signed on its behalf by:
The notes on pages 15 to 28 form part of these financial statements.
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MOSS WOOD LIMITED
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
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MOSS WOOD LIMITED
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
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MOSS WOOD LIMITED
ANALYSIS OF NET DEBT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
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MOSS WOOD LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
The Company is a private company limited by shares. It is both incorporated and domiciled in England and Wales. The Company's registered number is 09985024 and the address of its registered office is 7 The Close, Norwich, England, NR1 4DJ.
The principal place of business is Cheshire and the Company's principal activity during the year is that of the operation of a theme park.
2.Accounting policies
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention unless otherwise specified within these accounting policies and in accordance with Financial Reporting Standard 102, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and the Republic of Ireland and the Companies Act 2006.
The preparation of financial statements in compliance with FRS 102 requires the use of certain critical accounting estimates. It also requires management to exercise judgment in applying the Company's accounting policies (see note 3).
The following principal accounting policies have been applied:
Despite the Company having net current liabilities, net liabilities and being loss-making in the year, the financial statements have been prepared on the going concern basis. The Directors have received confirmation from the major shareholders that they will continue to support the Company by not requesting loan repayments, additional interest on loans or IP charges until such time that the Company has adequate funds to do so. All the Company loans are either provided by or secured by these major shareholders.
Turnover comprises revenue recognised by the Company in respect of theme park tickets, annual passes, group and party bookings and shop and catering income receivable during the year, exclusive of Value Added Tax. Revenue is recognised at the point of sale.
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MOSS WOOD LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
2.Accounting policies (continued)
All intangible assets are considered to have a finite useful life. If a reliable estimate of the useful life cannot be made, the useful life shall not exceed ten years.
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MOSS WOOD LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
2.Accounting policies (continued)
Depreciation is charged so as to allocate the cost of assets less their residual value over their estimated useful lives, using the straight-line method.
Depreciation is provided on the following basis:
The assets' residual values, useful lives and depreciation methods are reviewed, and adjusted prospectively if appropriate, or if there is an indication of a significant change since the last reporting date.
Gains and losses on disposals are determined by comparing the proceeds with the carrying amount and are recognised in profit or loss.
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MOSS WOOD LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
2.Accounting policies (continued)
Basic financial assets, which include trade and other receivables, cash and bank balances, are initially measured at their transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at their amortised cost using the effective interest method, less any provision for impairment, unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest.
Discounting is omitted where the effect of discounting is immaterial. The Company's cash and cash equivalents, trade and most other receivables due with the operating cycle fall into this category of financial instruments. The annual depreciation charges for tangible assets is sensitive to changes in the estimated useful economic lives and residual value of the assets. The useful economic lives and residual values are reassessed annually. They are amended when necessary to reflect current estimates, based on technological advancement, future investments, economic utilisation and the physical condition of the assets. See note 13 for the carrying amount of the tangible assets and note 2.10 for the useful economic lives for each class of assets.
The whole of the turnover is attributable to the principal activity of the Company, being that of a theme park.
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MOSS WOOD LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
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MOSS WOOD LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
The directors have considered whether it would be appropriate to recognise a deferred tax asset in respect of these losses. Given the level of historic losses and the absence of sufficient evidence to support recognition at this time, no deferred tax asset has been recognised. Any deferred tax asset will be considered for recognition in future periods should suitable taxable profits arise.
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MOSS WOOD LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
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